Power stations
I can describe how burning fuels can be used to generate electricity.
Power stations
I can describe how burning fuels can be used to generate electricity.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Non-renewable energy resources cannot be replaced in our lifetime once they are used up.
- A fuel can be burned to change water to steam.
- Steam generated in power stations is at a high pressure and turns massive turbines at high speed.
- Spinning turbines in power stations turns electrical generators that generate electricity.
- Burning coal, oil or gas in power stations makes carbon dioxide gas and other pollutants.
Keywords
Turbine - In a power station is a series of angled blades that turn electrical generators that produce electricity.
Pollutants - Substances that harm living organisms when released into the environment.
Non-renewable energy resource - Cannot be replaced in our lifetime once they are used up.
Greenhouse gas - A gas that helps to trap 'heat' in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide, methane and water vapour are greenhouse gases.
Fuel - A substance that releases energy when burned.
Common misconception
Students may not recognise that non-renewable fossil fuels have advantages. These advantages include being able to release a lot of energy when burned and that they are also relatively easy to source.
Explain that electricity demands are increasing and so it is important that power stations are able to generate electricity when needed or power cuts will happen. Until viable alternatives are readily available, fossil fuels will still be used.
Equipment
None required.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
A substance is burned and reacts with oxygen to release energy.
Any type of reaction that transfers energy to the surrounding.
A substance that releases its stored energy during combustion.
A type of reaction where a substance reacts with oxygen.
Exit quiz
6 Questions
Series of angled blades that turns a generator in a power station.
Generates electricity when turned.
Substance that harms living organisms if released into the environment
A gas that traps 'heat' in the atmosphere.